Amaran

A European metal band with a female lead singer might well conjure
images of the many fine gothic bands making the rounds, but that's
not what Amaran was all about.
Instead this Swedish group focused on crunchy, heavy power metal,
thankfully not the happy speedy style favored by so many German
bands but a more riff-oriented, darker style, yet not without
melody and passion.
Johanna DePierre's vocals can be favorably compared to Agnete
Kirkevaag of the excellent
Madder Mortem -- a clear alto style that is forceful but never domineering
or overbearing.
With power metal in Europe dominated by
Helloween
clones,
Amaran's heavier approach, coupled with DePierre's fine vocals,
helped the band stand out from the pack.
Two albums were released before the band, after losing DePierre and
other members, decided to break up at the end of 2005.